How to Shoot Sporting Clays

Sure, you excelled at the clay-shooting level on "Duck Hunt," but can you become a master at shooting the real thing with a real shotgun? Shooting instructor Jon Kent tells us the five basic tips you need for a true shot every time.

The Expert: Jon Kent, manager of the Sea Island Shooting School near Cabin Bluff, Ga.

Step-By-Step:

Sarah Shatz

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1. You don't aim a shotgun; you point it, as if it were an extension of your index finger.

2. Before the clay flies, note the hold point (the spot along the clay's path where you first point the gun), the focal point (where you will first see the clay) and the break point (where the clay will be when you fire).

3. Call "pull" and focus on the clay—and only the clay.

4. When the clay hits the hold point, swing the gun along the flight path to the break point.

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5. Clear your mind. If you think about the steps in No. 2 after the clay launches, you'll miss.